Gravity and Friction: Forces That Pull, Slow and Stop Things

About This Resource

A complete Grade 5 science pack on the forces of gravity and friction. Students learn how gravity pulls objects down, how friction slows motion, and plan a ramp test. Includes quiz, homework and rubric.

Overview

Students learn that gravity is a force that pulls objects toward the center of Earth and that friction is a force that acts against motion when two surfaces touch. They find out the difference between mass and weight, why a rough surface has more friction than a smooth surface, how friction can be useful or a problem, and how to plan a fair ramp test.

Resource Details

Subject: Science
Topic: Gravity and Friction
Category: Forces & Energy
File Type: PDF
File Size: 398.6 KB
Published: 28 Oct 2026
Downloads: 0

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Grade 5 (ages 10–11) 45 minutes Explaining forces cause and effect fair testing comparing scientific vocabulary

Learning Objectives

Explain that gravity is a pulling force and tell the difference between mass and weight.
Explain what friction is and how surfaces change the amount of friction.
Plan and explain a fair test that compares how far an object travels on different surfaces.

Lesson Procedure

Use the lesson plan to teach the lesson in about 45 minutes.
Print the worksheet for guided and independent practice.
Use the quiz to check learning and the homework for practice at home.
Use the rubric to record each student's level.

Assessment

Check the true or false and short-answer activities for accuracy. Students who say heavier objects always fall faster need the drop test to see the effect of air resistance. Use the quiz and rubric for a record.

Differentiation

Support: give students a table for the ramp test with the surfaces already written. Challenge: ask students to explain why astronauts weigh less on the Moon but their mass stays the same.

Classroom Activity Ideas

Ramp test: students roll a toy car down a ramp onto a smooth floor, a towel and sandpaper and measure how far it travels.
Drop test: students drop a flat piece of paper and a crumpled piece of paper from the same height and explain the difference.
Friction hands: students rub their hands together dry and then with a little lotion and tell what they feel.

Teacher Tips

Use the word force often: a force is a push or a pull. Tell students that gravity acts on every object, but we only notice it when one of the objects is very large, like Earth. Do the drop test before you talk about air resistance so students can make a prediction first.

What's Included

13-page printable PDF lesson pack: teacher lesson plan with timings, materials and differentiation
Key vocabulary list (8 words with meanings and examples)
Student worksheet (7 activities)
Quiz / assessment (4 parts)
Homework practice page
Printable flashcards (8 picture cards)
Assessment rubric (4 levels)
Lesson slides (editable PowerPoint)
Editable Word version of all student pages
Complete answer key (also as a separate PDF)